TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Tom Fitzgerald, the coach of NCAA soccer champions in Division I and II who also coached the Columbus Crew of MLS, died after a motorcycle accident while on his way to scout players at a tournament. He was 53.

Fitzgerald, the University of Tampa soccer coach, called his wife shortly following the collision Saturday but died at Tampa General Hospital after hemorrhaging, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said Sunday.

Ann Critcher, 44, of Tampa, was cited for pulling away from a stop sign into Fitzgerald’s path, McElroy added. The coach was on his way to Bradenton.

Fitzgerald returned to the University of Tampa this year after coaching the Spartans from 1987-96, leading them to the Division II championship in 1994 and the Final Four three times. In 2002, he led UCLA to the NCAA national title, becoming the third person to win a championship in the top two divisions. Fitzgerald left UCLA after the 2003 season to move home to Tampa to be closer to his family and return to the university.

About 50 people, most of them current men’s and women’s players, gathered at midfield in a tribute at the school stadium Saturday night.

Fitzgerald coached Columbus from 1996-01, leading the team to three straight conference titles.

Fitzgerald joined the Crew as an assistant coach in the inaugural MLS season in 1996 and was appointed interim head coach with 10 games left in the season. He was elevated to head coach at the end of that season after leading the team to a 9-1 record and a playoff spot.

AP-ES-12-05-04 1606EST